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9 Benefits of Smart Irrigation Controllers

9 Benefits of Smart Irrigation Controllers

The integration of smart devices into our day-to-day lives has become increasingly seamless. Automated garden care is one step closer towards a hassle-free life, removing the mundane and gifting you back valuable time.

Enter, the smart irrigation controller.

These user-friendly irrigation controllers are connected to wi-fi and boast a range of benefits beyond mere convenience.

So, what are the benefits of using a wifi irrigation controller?

Here we tell you the 9 top benefits of a smart irrigation controller, from remote access to water conservation for those green warriors out there.

1. Reduced Water Consumption

Your traditional sprinkler system runs on a fixed schedule without taking into account the local weather conditions. This results in water wastage and potentially over-watering your garden in periods of high rain.

A smart irrigation system uses a wi-fi controller to monitor real-time weather data, ensuring your watering schedules run at the correct increments and prevent overwatering.

2. Saves You Money on Utilities

One of the biggest benefits of a smart irrigation system wi fi controller is its ability to save you money.

Canstar reports that the average Australian household spends $208 a quarter on water usage [1]. Canstar lists efficiently watering your garden as one of the top tips for reducing your water bill.

Smart technology is able to determine the necessary run times of irrigation systems, meaning the right amount of water is dispersed: saving water and saving money.

3. Can be Monitored and Controlled Remotely

You no longer need to be on your property to be taking care of your garden:

An automated irrigation system can be controlled via your smartphone, allowing you and your family to go about your daily lives knowing your plants are happy.

Picture this:

You're relaxing on your well-earned holiday with not a care in the world. The next minute, news of a heatwave back home sends you reeling, "Oh no... My magnolias!"

Smart controllers take the stress out of remote garden maintenance and will make sure your magnificent maggies are getting enough water not to hold a garden grudge.

Wi-Fi controllers allow you to easily adjust watering times and control zones at the touch of a button: no more manually adjusting sprinklers on site!

4. Provide Optimal Lawn Health

Under watering or over watering your lawn can lead to brown patches, disease and grass death. These are problems that are difficult and expensive to reverse and, at the very least, unsightly.

A smart irrigation controller uses smart scheduling features to deliver the right amount of water to each plant, promoting optimal health and growth. Smart scheduling takes into account:

  • Plant type

  • Soil type

  • Sunlight exposure

  • Local weather conditions

Say hello to lush green lawns!

Smart irrigation controllers help you to achieve and maintain a beautiful landscape, whether it be lawns, gardens, trees and all the shrubs in between.

5. Improved Sustainability

Smart technology in your wi-fi irrigation system is able to monitor weather conditions and skip watering cycles during or after periods of rain: minimising unnecessary water usage.

Small but frequent adjustments to your water usage habits have a great environmental impact. By reducing your water wastage, you're helping to reduce the strain on local water sources, especially if you live in a region with water restrictions.

6. User Friendly Systems

Smart irrigation controllers come with easy-to-use mobile apps that make programming and managing the system a straightforward process.

You can actively engage with your smart sprinklers with ease, adjusting watering schedules as you like.

Traditional irrigation systems can be tedious to manage: they can be complex and must be adjusted manually.

A smart controller makes garden management a breeze, and able to operate at it's full potential with hassle-free modifications and remote capabilities in the palm of your hand.

 

7. Integration With Smart Home Systems

Automate your smart irrigation controller and other devices, providing a holistic home and landscape care approach.

Homeowners are now able to create a synchronised system where climate control, security and their sprinkler system work together in harmony. With smart home technology being all the rage right now, don't be too surprised when your neighbour has these gadgets installed on the other side of the fence.

8. Data and Reporting

Many smart irrigation controllers have the option to store historical data on water usage and watering schedules. This enables users to analyse trends, make informed decisions, and continuously optimise their irrigation system.

Users are now able to view historical data to make adjustments to improve water efficiency further by identifying patterns in water consumption and the effectiveness of different watering schedules.

9. Maintenance Alerts

Wi-fi controllers keep users alert by sending notifications directly to their mobile devices. These notifications cover a range of information, from system malfunctions and low battery levels to updates of watering cycles.

For example:

If a valve doesn't close properly, the system can detect the issue and notify the user. This prompt alert system allows the user to act quickly, ensuring the overall effective operation of the smart system.

The Takeaway

Smart irrigation controllers are the remote garden gnomes of the future:

They reduce unnecessary water use which saves you money, prevents over watering your lawn or garden, and gives you the green tick in the sustainability box.

These easy-to-use smart controllers allow you to view your history, review your water usage patterns and adjust your watering schedules at the touch of a button.

Wi-fi irrigation controllers bring convenience and efficiency back onto your side of the fence: they are the ultimate landscaping hack!

References

[1] Canstar Blue, 2023, What is the Average Water Bill? https://www.canstarblue.com.au/home-garden/average-water-bill/